Alex Verdugo Hot Stove Rumors: Pirates, Mets and Blue Jays target Yankees outfielder amid disappointing 2024 season

Alex Verdugo is a Major League Baseball player who spent the 2024 season with the New York Yankees. Verdugo ended up playing a pivotal role for the Yankees, but his production was a bit disappointing based on what he was getting paid for the team. The Yankees have apparently decided to go in a different direction, leaving Verdugo searching for a new team in 2025.

This is the "Hot Stove" time of year in Major League Baseball, and that means that teams throughout the league are trying to make some big roster moves. As the calendar has now flipped to January, it's time for some of the average players to start to sign some deals. CBS Sports is reporting that Verdugo is drawing some interest from three teams, but he might have to settle for a smaller deal.

From the article, Chris Cotillo of MassLive reported on Tuesday that the Pittsburgh Pirates are hoping to sign Alex Verdugo.

"Pirates are indeed hot after Alex Verdugo and are a team to watch there," Chris Cotillo on report from @ByRobertMurray, and he added, "Other teams like Mets, Jays involved, too."

R.J. Anderson was the author of the referenced Tuesday article for CBS Sports, and he shares some thoughts on why he thinks that Verdugo could be a good option for some teams by saying,

"It doesn't hurt Verdugo's marketability that he's all but certain to settle for a one-year pact at a middling wage."

Most free agents are looking to land big deals in free agency, but Verdugo didn't put up good enough numbers last year to be considered a big-money addition.

Alex Verdugo recognized inconsistency during 2024 season

Despite playing in a starting role for the American League champions, Verdugo recognized that he did not have a great 2024 regular season. Verdugo managed to hit just .233 during the regular season and only hit 13 home runs in the middle of the Yankees lineup.

The fans of the New York Yankees were not always kind to Verdugo during the season, as he was often met with some boos throughout the year. The free-agent outfielder recognized his inconsistent play and even supported the fans for showing their displeasure.

"Fans booing me, fans getting on me, I understand it. I was booing myself, too," Alex Verdugo on New York Yankees fans in early October.

Alex Verdugo will be playing in a new uniform in 2025, and his goal will be to provide more consistent offense throughout the year.